The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-12
WARFARE WITH DYNAMITE
The Terrible Power of a New Explosive
Invented by Lieut.. Graydon.
Hon He Demolished $1,000 Target for the
Russians-The Lieutenant's Fight with
Mosby, the Old Guerrilla, in California

Lieut.. James Weir Graydon is in the city for
a weeks visit to his mother and other relatives
Sometime ago he returned from China. where
he had been III the employ of the Celestial gov
eminent, whose dynamite devices invented by
him were employed under his direction in de-
Tending the Canton river from the approach or
the French in the Tonqun war. Returning
from China, he came to San Francisco.
where he exhibited his method of employing
dynamite in artillery and small arms 1t seems
that while in China, where he stood in high re-
gard with the Chinese government, he was APP
preached by the ex-confederate, Gen. Mosby.
who asked him to use his influence to have him
made a major general, Mr.. Cleveland having
been elected president and Gen. Mosby expect
ing soon to be out Of q job as consul to Hong
Kong Lieut.. Graydon declined TO advance
Mosby's fortunes and their next meeting was at
San Francisco, where Lieut. Graydon had
caused the arrest OF hotel clerk, whom he
charged with embezzling $1,000, which be had
telegraphsd to the hotel from Hong Kong. In
the trial, Mosby was introduced as witness to
tell what he knew Of the lieutenant while In
China He testified that Lieut.. Graydon was
in high favor with the Chinese government,
which was sufficient in San Francisco criml-
nal court to turn the hotel clerk loose. with no
chance Of recovering the 81, 900. The ileuten-
ant, however, took the stand and told of Mos
by's conduct at Hong Kong and the reason OF
his enmity. concluding with the testi-
mony that at that place Mosoy and
a son kept sailors boarding, mouse.
which was no better than places of that
kind usually are. Mosby was much incensed at
this charge and after Lieut. Graydon had left
the court, followed him, accompanied by doc
Tor and captain in the regular army, TO mis-
hotel The lieutenant is hardly five feet six
inches high, while Mosby is large man. nearly
a foot taller. He had begun to call the little
lieutenant liar, with divers and sundry emoei-
lish ments, when Graydon. who was seated,
sprang to his feet and striking the famous guer.
rila upon the nose, broke that organ and
knocked him down. striking him second time
as he fell. 1t was very sudden and the gener-
ais friends removed him for repairs
The lieutenant left San Francisco and shortly
afterward went to Europe where he exhibited
his application of dynamite to the Russian
department and also held conferences with other
European nations in regard to his use OF this ex-
plosive for military purposes II am now; saad
ducing my new Explosive, which l can make
seven times more powerful than itro-glycerine.
brought some of it all the way from Russia.
through Germany and France, in my overcoat
pocket, and fred it off on the Poto-
mac. I have just received news
to-day of a company formed in New York to
handle my invention, aud have telegraphed my
acceptance of the terms offered. The company
is Of $500, 900 cash capital am to receive $780,
0Gs cash and 40 per cent in stock. This is for
States. Gen. Dan Macauley vas instrumental
in getting the company together and has an in
terest. Three factories will be erected for Its
manufacture, one in the Eastern States, one per-
haps at indianapolis and one at San Francisco.
These factories will cost about 500. 600 apiece
The manufacture of the explosive can be begun
without delaG, as no special machinery IS re-
CURED"
How dangerous in the manufacture of this
explosivel" inquired the reporter, somewhat
alarmed at the prospect of factory or tni
kind being located in Indianapolis.
There's not particle Of danger IN its manu-
facturer said the lieutenant; mot particle,
can smoke a cigar while making it. 1t cannot
be got off unless you want it to explode. II re-
ouires a treble force of illuminate of mercury to
make it explode. will take a half a pound put
MP in cartridge form like dynamite and lighting
it at one end will burn it like rocket and then,
when nearly all burnt MP, take hammer and
explode the Misunderstanding careful, OF course
not to have too great remainder
have spoken to George r. brannam ana ana
have telegraphed for a few pounds, having OF
fered to shoot some wells for them free OF charge
in order to show them the force OF the new ex
plosve. In my experiments in Russia took q
gun that shoots seven miles with powder and IN
creased the distance to eleven miles. That was
with dynamite, with black powder behind It. L
can take q shoulder rifle that shoots mile and
quarter and make it shoot two miles with powder
reinforced by my method with dynamite Inc
new explosive, you understand, Is different
thing and more valuable for commercial reasons.
am here taking q rest. When the steel shells
that I am having made are finished, L
will make some experiments at Sandy HOOK
Spain. but shall first pay attention here to the
commercial feature of my invention. got oacK
from Russia on the 4th Of June, and have oren
in Washington most OF the time since. me ,as
to Virginia, to Alexandria, the guerrillas OLD
home. i was somewhat surprised one day to be
called upon in Washington by Delegation rep
resenting an organization calling themselves the
Alexandria Cadets, who thanked me for the man
ner in which had received the General, and IN
formed me that they had made me an honorary
mem Der of the Cadets"
Have you had any accidents IN nanonnG
these powerful explosives
II have never had an accident in any OF my
experiments and have fred 934 shots from heavy
| cannon. In Russia several experiments had been
made with dynamite and they always burst the
| guns. / showed them my report from the
| United States government that had fired nifty
| two shots and never injured gum The Minis.
| ter of War said thsy would give me everything
| wanted in my experiments and built . target
the best solid stsel. one plate. took a six inch
| Krupp gun and it was understood that was to
| FIRE forty times at the target. The load weighed
| lO6 pounds. There were thirty seven pounds OF
| powder and one pound of dynamite in the
| charge, and six pounds of dynamite IN the shell
| I arranged the fuse SO as to get nine inches
penetration in the eleven inch target before the
| explosion of the dynamite in the shell. The
| first fire carried away most OF the target, but
managed to get in two more when there was mol
anything st all left of it: the target costing
| $1,000. was destroyed in twenty minutes
| There was a very distinguished gathering
to view these OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES major and
| lieutenant generals. and the Minister Of War
| and the thermometer twenty degrees below
/ zero, for it was in idwinter. My new inven
ton ie entirely different from dynamite-it II
not dangerous to handle. make Ii seven timel
/ more powerful, as ! said, and at little more OK
| pense. have rival in the field of explosives
as Lieut.. Zalnska has not invented any ex
plosive and does not fire dynamite as do, bu
! with compressed air.
Lieut.. Graydon is not now in the navy, havini
| resigned after twenty FIVE years service. in or
1 der TO accept temporary service with the Chimes
| government and to continue his operations il
| his inventions.
| Parrots.
Just received. nice lot of young parrots. a.